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Important Bird Areas in Europe – Estonia

■■■■■ ESTONIAMARGUS OTS AND ANDRES KALAMEES

Alam–Pedja wetland complex (IBA 036). (PHOTO: ARNE ADER)

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Estonia has a land area of 45,100 km² and is bounded to the westand north by the Baltic Sea, to the east by Russia and to the southby Latvia. The country is situated on the East European Plain,having a mean elevation of only 50 m and a maximum of 318 m(Suur Munamägi). There are over 1,400 natural and artificiallakes—e.g. Lake Peipsi (3,555 km²) and Narva reservoir(190 km²)—and 420 rivers of over 10 km length. There are morethan 1,500 islands in Estonia, of which the largest are Saaremaa(2,673 km²), Hiiumaa (980 km²), Muhu (200 km²) and Vormsi(c.93 km²). The Estonian coastline is approximately 4,000 km long.

Estonia lies in the northern part of the temperate mixed forestzone. About 40% of the country is covered by forest, 34% byagricultural land, 22% by mires (comprising 57% fens, 12%transitional mires and 31% bogs), and 6% by unmanaged areassuch as waterways, roads, etc. The dominant tree species are Scotspine Pinus sylvestris (41% of forest cover), birch Betula (28%), sprucePicea (23%), alder Alnus (5%) and aspen Populus tremula (2%)(Peterson 1994).

Estonia has 43 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) covering 4,756 km²,representing c.11% of the land area of the country (Table 1, Map 1).Nine sites were identified in Estonia in the first pan-Europeaninventory of IBAs (Grimmett and Jones 1989). The application of

Map 1. Location, area andcriteria category of ImportantBird Areas in Estonia.

13

1427

15

16

222120

1719

1128

12

18

26

424

25

32

23

29

30

10

16

5 79

39

41

42

40

31

3236 38

43

33

348

35

37

G U L F O FR I G A

R U S S I A

B A L T I CS E A

L A T V I A

Area of IBA (ha)

A (35 IBAs)

B (8 IBAs)

Highest category ofcriteria met by IBA

255 to 1,903

1,904 to 4,998

4,999 to 16,059

16,060 to 51,880

0 5025

km

206


the revised IBA criteria to these sites, as part of this IBA review, ledto one of them (Muraka marsh, 1989 code SU002) being disqualifiedas an IBA. Organized surveys, literature searches and collaborationwith other organizations in 1996 resulted in a further 35 IBAs beingidentified, the majority of which lie in the western part of the countryand in the Emajõgi river basin (see Table 1 for a comparison of these‘new’ sites with 1989 sites). More than 50 other sites of nationalornithological importance have also been recognised in Estonia.

ORNITHOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

As of 1 January 1998, 339 bird species have been recorded inEstonia, of which 222 are breeders (209 regular, seven irregular andsix occasional), with 150 species having been recorded in winter(94 regularly), and 212 species on migration (194 regularly)(Lõhmus et al. 1998).

There are 111 species of European conservation concern(SPECs) which breed regularly in Estonia, 62 of which have anunfavourable conservation status in Europe, including four species

Table 1. Summary of Important Bird Areas in Estonia. 43 IBAs covering 4,756 km2

IBA National 1989code code code International name National name Administrative region Area (ha) Criteria (see p. 11)

001 HI01 — Kõrgessaare–Mudaste coast Kõrgessaare-Mudaste rannik Hiiu 4,999 A4i, B1i002 HI02 — Vanamõisa bay Vanamõisa laht Hiiu 1,329 B1i

003 HI03 SU008 Käina bay Käina laht Hiiu 1,316 A4i, B1i004 HI04 — Hiiumaa islets Hiiumaa laiud Hiiu 16,060 A4i, B1i

005 HI05 — Hari Kurk strait Hari kurk Hiiu, Lääne 30,290 A4i, B1i006 LÄ02 — Hullo and Sviby bays Hullo ja Sviby lahed Lääne 2,470 A4i, B1i

007 LÄ01 — Haapsalu–Noarootsi bays Haapsalu-Noarootsi lahed Lääne 15,910 A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2008 HA01 — Paldiski bay Paldiski laht Harju 14,010 A4i, B1i

009 LÄ04 — Marimetsa bog Marimetsa raba Lääne 4,599 A4i, B1i010 LÄ03 SU005 Matsalu Bay Matsalu laht Lääne 51,880 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3

011 SA07 — Küdema bay Küdema laht Saare 4,822 A1, A4i, B1i012 SA06 — Tagamõisa peninsula Tagamõisa poolsaar Saare 11,130 A1, A4i, B1i, B2

013 SA05 SU009 Vilsandi archipelago Vilsandi saarestik Saare 18,230 A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3014 SA04 — Karala–Pilguse coast Karala–Pilguse rannik Saare 3,114 A4i, B1i

015 SA03 — Riksu coast Riksu rannik Saare 1,904 A4i, B1i016 SA02 — Lõu bay Lõu laht Saare 4,815 A4i, B1i, B2, B3

017 SA01 — Sõrve peninsula Sõrve poolsaar Saare 14,840 A4i, A4iii, B1i018 SA08 — Relict lakes of southern Saaremaa Lõuna-Saaremaa reliktjärved Saare 5,735 B1i, B2

019 SA09 — Abruka island Abruka saar Saare 4,707 A4i, B1i020 SA10 — Kasti bay Kasti laht Saare 3,877 A4i, B1i

021 SA11 — Siiksaare–Oessaare bays Siiksaare–Oessaare lahed Saare 2,917 A4i, B1i022 SA12 — Kahtla–Kübassaare coast Kahtla-Kübassaare rannik Saare 11,710 A4i, A4iii, B1i, B3

023 SA13 — Väike Väin strait Väike väin Saare 18,480 A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2024 LÄ05 SU007 Suur Väin strait Suur väin Saare, Lääne 16,010 A4i, A4iii, B1i

025 LÄ06 — Nehatu mire Nehatu soo Lääne 681 B1i026 PÄ01 SU006 Nätsi–Võlla bog Nätsi-Võlla raba Pärnu 9,831 A4i, B1i

027 PÄ03 — Kihnu strait Kihnu väin Pärnu 47,910 A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2028 PÄ02 — Audru polder Audru polder Pärnu 788 A4i, A4iii, B1i

029 PÄ04 — Pärnu bay Pärnu laht Pärnu 17,770 A4i, A4iii, B1i030 PÄ05 — Häädemeeste–Võiste coast Häädemeeste-Võiste rannik Pärnu 3,630 A4i, B1i031 PÄ06 SU004 Nigula, Kodaja and Rongu bogs Nigula, Kodaja ja Rongu rabad Pärnu 8,850 A1, A4i, B1i, B2

032 VI01 — Soomaa mire complex Soomaa soode kompleks Pärnu, Viljandi 36,890 A1, A4i, B1i, B2033 LV01 SU001 Laukasoo bog Laukasoo Lääne-Viru 1,431 B1i

034 LV02 — Ohepalu–Udriku mires Ohepalu–Udriku sood Harju, Lääne-Viru 2,946 A4i, B1i035 IV01 — Puhatu mire Puhatu soo Ida-Viru 15,620 B2

036 TA01 — Alam–Pedja wetland complex Alam–Pedja märgala Tartu, Jõgeva, Viljandi 25,850 A1, A4i, B1i, B2037 TA02 — Kallaste–Kodavere coast Kallaste-Kodavere rannik Tartu 350 A4i, B1i, B2

038 TA03 — Lahepera lake Lahepera järv Tartu 255 A4i, B1i, B2039 TA04 — Ropka–Ihaste flood-plain meadow and Aardla lake Ropka–Ihaste luht ja Aardla järv Tartu 765 B2, B3

040 TA05 SU003 Mouth of the Emajõgi river and Piirissaar island Emajõe suudmeala ja Piirissaar Tartu 31,980 A1, A4i, B1i, B2041 PÕ01 — Meelva bog Meelva raba Põlva 1,646 B1i

042 PÕ02 — Meenikunno bog Meenikunno raba Põlva 1,820 B1i043 VA01 — Flood-plain meadows of Mustjõgi river Mustjõe luht Valga, Võru 1,412 A1, B2

Site identified in the previous inventory of IBAs in Europe (Grimmett and Jones 1989) but no longer considered to be an IBASU002 Muraka Marsh, Kohtla-Järve

of global conservation concern, Haliaeetus albicilla, Aquila clanga,Crex crex and Gallinago media (Tucker and Heath 1994, Lõhmuset al. 1998). The globally threatened Polysticta stelleri winters inthe country, and an additional eight species, classed as SPECs basedon their winter populations, also winter in Estonia.

Table 1 lists the criteria under which each IBA qualifies. Ninesites support significant numbers of globally threatened and near-threatened species, i.e. they qualify as IBAs under criterion A1(Table 2), especially for Crex crex (20–100 breeding pairs at eachsite) and Polysticta stelleri.

Table 2. Important Bird Areas in Estonia that are important forspecies of global conservation concern (meeting criterion A1).

Species IBA code

Polysticta stelleri Steller’s Eider 011, 012, 013Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle 040Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle 036Crex crex Corncrake 010, 031, 032, 036, 043Gallinago media Great Snipe 036

207


The majority of IBAs in Estonia (34 out of 43) qualify underA4i criteria and a further six sites under B1i only, since they supportimportant numbers of congregatory waterbirds (Table 3). Thesewetlands are situated mainly along the west coast, includingHaapsalu bay and the islands of Hiiumaa, Kihnu, Muhu andSaaremaa, and are particularly important for migrating Gaviastellata, G. arctica, Cygnus columbianus, C. cygnus, Anser fabalis,A. anser, Branta leucopsis, Aythya marila, Clangula hyemalis,Melanitta nigra, M. fusca, Bucephala clangula, Grus grus andCharadrius hiaticula, and also for wintering Polysticta stelleri.Matsalu Bay (site 010), a designated Ramsar Site, is probably themost important site in the country, qualifying on the basis of itsglobally important congregations of waterbirds (14 species).

Eighteen IBAs support important breeding numbers of a totalof 21 SPECs, thus qualifying under the B2/B3 criteria (Tables 1and 4).

HABITATS

The great majority of IBAs (84%) contain some wetland habitat,and at 37% of the sites wetland habitats cover more than half ofthe individual IBA area (Figure 1). The majority of wetland sitesare in areas of raised bog with pools, e.g. sites 009, 025, 031–036and 040, or occur as complexes with a mosaic of fens, transitionmires, bogs, swamp forests, flood-plains, wooded meadows, lakesand rivers. Marine habitats are also common in the IBA network,with nearly 50% of the IBAs being predominantly marine, mainlyencompassing shallow sea bays with small islets, including somesaltmarsh and reedbeds on the western coast of Estonia, e.g.sites 001, 020 and 030. Forest/woodland and grassland occur withinmany IBAs but each habitat generally covers less than 50% of theindividual IBA’s area.

Habitats which are not adequately represented in the nationalIBA network include broadleaved deciduous forest, old-growthforest, and artificial (agricultural) landscapes (Figure 1), eventhough these habitat-types support a good number of species ofEuropean conservation concern such as woodpeckers (e.g. Jynx

Table 3. Important Bird Areas in Estonia that support importantnumbers of one or more congregatory species (i.e. meetingcriteria A4 and/or B1). IBAs meeting both criteria A4 and B1for the species are shown in bold. IBAs meeting only criterionB1 for the species concerned, and not A4, are shown innormal type. For key to ‘Season’, see p. 7.

Species Season IBA code

Gavia stellata Red-throated Diver W 017P 027, 029

Gavia arctica Black-throated Diver W 017P 027, 029

Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant B 010, 019P 007, 027

Cygnus olor Mute Swan P 007, 013Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 003, 006, 007, 008, 010, 023, 024, 026, 027,

028, 029, 030, 032, 036, 037, 038, 040Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 003, 007, 008, 010, 023, 024, 027, 028Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 010, 031, 040Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 031Anser anser Greylag Goose B 010

P 002, 003, 005, 006, 007, 010, 012, 013, 016,017, 018, 020, 023, 028

N 005Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 001, 003, 004, 006, 010, 013, 014, 015, 016,

019, 020, 021, 022, 023, 027, 028, 030Anas penelope Wigeon P 010, 023Anas strepera Gadwall B 021

P 007N 021

Anas acuta Pintail P 010Anas clypeata Shoveler P 010

N 010Aythya ferina Pochard N 010Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck P 010Aythya marila Scaup P 007, 010, 013, 024, 027, 029Somateria mollissima Eider N 005Polysticta stelleri Steller’s Eider W 011, 012, 013Clangula hyemalis Long-tailed Duck P 010, 017, 022, 023, 024, 027, 029Melanitta nigra Common Scoter P 010, 024, 027, 029Melanitta fusca Velvet Scoter P 010, 024, 027, 029Bucephala clangula Goldeneye W 011, 012

P 010, 019, 023, 027Mergus albellus Smew W 016, 017

P 010, 024, 029, 040Mergus merganser Goosander P 013Fulica atra Coot P 010Grus grus Crane P 002, 003, 007, 009, 010, 013, 018, 022, 025,

P 032, 033, 034, 041, 042Charadrius hiaticula Ringed Plover P 010Calidris alpina Dunlin B 010, 023, 027Tringa totanus Redshank P 010Sterna caspia Caspian Tern B 010, 016Alca torda Razorbill W 017Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot W 017

Table 4. Species of European conservation concern withsignificant breeding populations at Important Bird Areas inEstonia (meeting any IBA criteria).

Minimum Proportion (%) of national breeding national population

population breeding at all IBAsSpecies 1 (pairs) 2 in Estonia

Botaurus stellaris Bittern 200 27Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose 40 1003

Anas strepera Gadwall 200 73Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle 35 29Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle 5 40Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle 30 33Tetrao tetrix Black Grouse 10,000 6Porzana porzana Spotted Crake 1,000 24Crex crex Corncrake 5,000 4Grus grus Crane 600 30Gallinago media Great Snipe 50 1003

Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit 1,000 30Tringa totanus Redshank 6,000 19Larus minutus Little Gull 1,000 55Larus canus Common Gull 10,000 37Larus marinus Great Black-backed Gull 2,000 59Sterna caspia Caspian Tern 400 57Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern 800 35Sterna albifrons Little Tern 200 28Chlidonias niger Black Tern 2,000 68Riparia riparia Sand Martin 20,000 10

1. Only those species of European conservation concern (see Box 1, p. 12) that meet IBA criteria inEstonia are listed.

2. Data are taken from the BirdLife/EBCC European Bird Database 1998 (Heath and Borggreve 2000).3. The percentage of the national population in IBAs exceeds 100%. Usually this is because

the national population estimate has not been updated recently whilst the IBA populationestimate has been recently updated with new data as a result of comprehensive surveys ofIBAs themselves. Also, the individual site count for a species may be the maximum oraverage over recent years, and summing these may record more birds than are presentnationally in any single year.

Figure 1. Habitats at Important Bird Areas in Estonia(see Appendix 3 for definitions of habitats).

100 3020 605040 908070Percentage of IBAs (100% = 43 sites)

1. percentage of area of individual IBA covered by habitat

Scrub

Forest and woodland

Artificial landscape

Wetland

Grassland

Marine areas

³ 50% cover¹ 5%–49% cover¹

208


torquilla, Dendrocopos leucotos, Picus viridis), waders (e.g. Vanellusvanellus, Limosa limosa), Coturnix coturnix and Alauda arvensis.

IMPACTS ON IBAs – LAND-USE AND THREATS

Figure 2 shows the most common forms of land-use at IBAs inEstonia. Nature conservation is more frequent and more extensivethan any other land-use at IBAs, primarily because many of theIBAs lie within the huge West Estonian Archipelago BiosphereReserve. Over 60% of IBAs are used as fisheries and this is a majoractivity at most of them. Forestry activities occur at just over halfof the IBAs. Private landowners who own forest within protectedareas are allowed to carry out certain forestry operations, accordingto the existing protection rules or/and management plans. If theIBA is not covered by some type of protected area, forestry isregulated through the private or state forestry management planswhich currently, in most cases, do not take into account the statusof the area as an IBA. Nearly 50% of IBAs have some agriculturalland-use activities; cattle graze some of the coastal meadows, andflood-plains are used for haymaking although the latter is notwidespread and is now decreasing rapidly.

Many of the IBAs are on state-owned land. For instance, marineareas, large bogs, mires, swamps and some special, high-priorityhabitats for important bird species, e.g. nesting eagles (Aquila/Haliaeetus) and Ciconia nigra, belong to the state and are protectedby the state.

Figure 3 summarizes the key threats to and impacts on IBAs.Recreation/tourism is the most common threat, affecting almost80% of all IBAs. The impact of this is expected to increasedramatically in the near future, although at most sites the current

impact is low. Abandonment and/or reductions in (agricultural)land-use activity are also having detrimental effects on key birdspecies at 29 IBAs, largely due to overgrowth of coastal meadowsby reed Phragmites as a result of undergrazing (e.g. Hiiumaa islands,site 004) and to the overgrowth of flood-plains by scrub where hay-making has been abandoned (e.g. Soomaa mire complex, site 032).Rather paradoxically, some areas are detrimentally affected bothby the intensification of agriculture and at the same time byreductions in management activity, e.g. at Audru polder (site 028).Areas such as this require moderate agricultural activity to maintainsuitable habitats. Some sites, such as Nehatu mire (site 025), areaffected by drainage of land outside the IBA, which in turn lowerswater-levels and reduces suitable habitat within the site. Theintensification of fishery practices is a threat at 26 IBAs, and at 11of these the impact is high.

Hunting (classed as ‘unsustainable exploitation’) impacts morethan 65% of IBAs and causes highly significant disturbance anddisruption of birds’ essential activities. Various types of pollutionaffect IBAs: intensive shipping in parts of the Baltic Sea results inpollution of wetlands with fuel oil, the ongoing intensification ofagriculture is expected to result in nutrient pollution of IBAs in thenear future, and intensified fishery activity has increased pollutionfrom discards and also causes disturbance. Deforestation (illegal)affects old-growth forests especially.

PROTECTION STATUS

Table 5 summarizes the national and international protection statusof all Estonian IBAs. Overall, five IBAs (sites 028, 029, 038, 039and 043) receive no protection at all through official legislation atthe national or international level (Table 5) and four of them areconsidered of global importance, either for the large congregationsof waterbirds that they support or for the significant presence of aglobally threatened species (Table 1).

■■■■■ National protectionNature protection in Estonia is supported mainly by the Act onProtected Natural Objects (adopted in June 1994, improved inFebruary 1998). Protected natural objects include the following:areas, natural and natural-historical monuments and species, fossilsand minerals. Protected areas are of the following types: NationalPark, Nature Protection Area, Protected Landscape or ProgrammeArea. Protected natural objects may be in public or privateownership. All protected areas in Estonia are administered andmonitored by the state. The state has the right to pass the control ofthe protected area to the Governor of the County (e.g. Käina bay,site 003), to the state administration (e.g. Haapsalu–Noarootsi bays,site 007) or to NGOs (e.g. Alam–Pedja wetland complex, site 036).Details of the principal categories of protected area are given below.

1. National ParkA National Park is a protected area of special national importancefor the preservation, investigation, and promotion of awareness of

Figure 2. Land-uses at Important Bird Areas in Estonia(see Appendix 3 for definitions of land-uses).

Figure 3. Threats at Important Bird Areas in Estonia (see Appendix 3 for definitions of threat types and impact categories).

0 10 20 30 5040 7060Percentage of IBAs (100% = 43 sites)

1. percentage of area of individual IBA covered by land-use

Not utilized

Other

Military

Urban/industrial/transport

Fisheries/aquaculture

Tourism/recreation

Hunting

Forestry

Nature conservation/research

Agriculture

³ 50% cover¹

5%–49% cover¹

40 50 600 10 20 30 70 80Percentage of IBAs (100% = 43 sites)

Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage

Extraction industryConsequences of animal/plant introductions

Agricultural intensification/expansion

Unsustainable exploitation

Industrialization/urbanization

Intensified forest management

Abandonment/reduction of land management

Deforestation (commercial)

Aquaculture/fisheries

Other

Recreation/tourism

Drainage

Infrastructure

Disturbance to birds

Dredging/canalization

High impact

Medium to low impact

209


Figure 4. The national protection status of Important Bird Areasin Estonia.

% of area ofindividualIBA overlapswith nationalprotected areas:High >90%Partial 10–90%Low <10%None

Total area of overlap between IBA network in Estonia and national protected-areasystem (see Table 5 for categories) = 2,107–2,141 km2 (46–47% of total IBA area).

Figure 5. The international protection status of Important BirdAreas in Estonia.

% of area ofindividualIBA overlapswith internationalprotected areas:High >90%Partial 10–90%Low <10%None

Total area of overlap between IBA network in Estonia and international protected-areasystem (see Table 5 for categories) = 3,027–3,067 km2 (66–67% of total IBA area).

Partial10 IBAs (23%)

High13 IBAs (30%)

None16 IBAs (38%)

Low4 IBAs (9%)

High24 IBAs (55%)

Partial2 IBAs (5%)

None17 IBAs (40%)

the natural and cultural inheritance; it includes ecosystems,examples of biological diversity, landscapes, national culture, andis subject to sustainable nature management. There are fourNational Parks in Estonia.

2. Nature Protection Area (Nature Reserve)A Nature Protection Area is an area protected for its natureconservation or scientific value, set aside for the preservation,protection, and investigations of natural processes and endangeredor protected plant, animal and fungus species and their habitats,inanimate objects, as well as landscapes and natural monuments.As of 1 June 1998 there were 13 Nature Protection Areas in Estonia.

3. Protected Landscape (Landscape Reserve)/Nature ParkA Protected Landscape or Nature Park is an area of natural orcultural heritage value, which is rare or typical for Estonia, andwhich is established for nature conservation, cultural or recreationalpurposes. Parks, arboreta and botanical gardens, which have beentaken into protection, are also considered Protected Landscapes.As of 1 June 1998 there were 35 Protected Landscapes and 4 NatureParks in Estonia.

4. Programme AreaA Programme Area is managed under a local, national orinternational programme for monitoring, investigation oreducational purposes as well as combining conservation andmanagement of natural resources. There are two Programme Areasin Estonia.

All protected areas of the Soviet era in Estonia (more than 200)have to be re-registered under the above-mentioned Act. Since thisprocess is not complete yet, this means that the number of NatureProtection Areas and Protected Landscapes will increase in thefuture.

Twenty-seven IBAs are afforded some legal protection throughtheir overlap with the national protected-area network, being partlyor fully covered by National Parks, Nature Protection Areas orProtected Landscapes (Figure 4, Table 5). It should be stressed thatlarge areas of many of these sites are not legally protected, andthat 16 IBAs are afforded no legal protection whatsoever at thenational level (Figure 4).

GlobalBiodiversity Convention ✔Ramsar Convention ✔Bonn ConventionWorld Heritage Convention ✔MAB Programme ✔

Pan-EuropeanBern Convention ✔

RegionalHelsinki Convention ✔

✔ Convention ratified/initiative supported(✔) Convention signed

Box 1. International legislationand initiatives that arerelevant to site conservation inEstonia (see Appendix 1 for ageneral description of theseagreements).

IBA Internationalcode name

001 Kõrgessaare–Mudaste coast ✔

002 Vanamõisa bay ✔

003 Käina bay ✔ ✔ ✔

004 Hiiumaa islets ✔ ✔ ✔

005 Hari Kurk strait ✔

006 Hullo and Sviby bays ✔ ✔

007 Haapsalu–Noarootsi bays ✔

008 Paldiski bay ✔

009 Marimetsa bog ✔

010 Matsalu Bay ✔ ✔

011 Küdema bay ✔

012 Tagamõisa peninsula ✔ ✔

013 Vilsandi archipelago ✔ ✔ ✔

014 Karala–Pilguse coast ✔ ✔

015 Riksu coast ✔

016 Lõu bay ✔

017 Sõrve peninsula ✔

018 Relict lakes of southern Saaremaa ✔ ✔

019 Abruka island ✔ ✔

020 Kasti bay ✔

021 Siiksaare–Oessaare bays ✔

022 Kahtla–Kübassaare coast ✔

023 Väike Väin strait ✔

024 Suur Väin strait ✔ ✔ ✔

025 Nehatu mire ✔ ✔

026 Nätsi–Võlla bog ✔

027 Kihnu strait ✔

028 Audru polder029 Pärnu bay030 Häädemeeste–Võiste coast ✔

031 Nigula, Kodaja and Rongu bogs ✔ ✔

032 Soomaa mire complex ✔ ✔

033 Laukasoo bog ✔

034 Ohepalu–Udriku mires ✔

035 Puhatu mire ✔

036 Alam–Pedja wetland complex ✔ ✔

037 Kallaste–Kodavere coast ✔

038 Lahepera lake039 Ropka–Ihaste flood-plain meadow

and Aardla lake040 Mouth of the Emajõgi river

and Piirissaar island ✔ ✔

041 Meelva bog ✔

042 Meenikunno bog ✔

043 Flood-plain meadows of Mustjõgi river

Total number of IBAs 5 14 8 10 20

Natio

nal

Park

Natu

rePr

otec

tion

Area

Prot

ected

Land

scap

e

Ram

sar

Site

Bios

pher

eRe

serv

e

Table 5. Protection status of Important Bird Areas in Estonia.A tick (✔) indicates that an IBA overlaps with a protected area(to any extent).

National International

210


■■■■■ International protectionEstonia is party to the major international conventions relevant tosite protection (Box 1), and Figure 5 shows the status of IBAs withrespect to these instruments. There are ten designated Ramsar Sitesin Estonia, which overlap with ten IBAs (Table 5). Wetlands whichare due to be designated as Ramsar Sites by the year 2010 overlapwith the following 10 IBAs: 001, 005, 007, 016, 018, 021, 023, 026,030 and 035.

Twenty IBAs are situated within the West Estonian BiosphereReserve, which covers some 1.5 million hectares (Table 5).Theoretically this reserve should provide relatively high-levelprotection to these sites; however, most of them are still highlythreatened by at least one factor. Unfortunately the protection ofcore areas in the Biosphere Reserve is not yet covered by nationallegislation. This means that IBAs which overlap with core areas donot have any legal protection until the Act on Protected NaturalObjects is changed or until core areas are designated as NatureProtection Areas or Protected Landscapes.

CONSERVATION

• Scientific research and monitoring of migratory waterbirdpopulations is carried out at several IBAs, with Matsalu Bay(site 010) being the centre for bird ringing in Estonia.

• Management plans have been written for just three of the43 IBAs (003, 010, and 036). Since 1997, regular state supporthas been given towards the implementation of the managementplan for Matsalu Bay (010).

• Maps (1:50,000 and 1:10,000) indicating IBA boundaries areavailable from the Estonian Ornithological Society.

• The borders and status of unprotected IBAs must be reviewedto secure the legal protection of the areas.

ANALYTICAL METHODS

• In 1998 a new, updated list was compiled of Estonian birdspecies, their status and their national breeding/winteringpopulation sizes (Lõhmus et al. 1998). This data-set waspublished too late to be incorporated into Table 4, thus whereasmost of the numerical data on breeding birds at IBAs arerelatively up-to-date (coming from the period 1993–1996), thepercentages of the national population breeding within IBAsand meeting criteria, quoted in Table 4, are based on an earlierdata-set (see Tucker and Heath 1994) and give a moreapproximate reflection of the current situation at Estonian IBAs.

• Counts of migratory birds are in most cases given as averagefigures for the 1990s. For some sites, e.g. Matsalu Bay, the rangeis given for the 1990–1996 period.

• Most waterbird counts are good quality (verification code A orB) and derive from state monitoring bodies, staff of protectedareas and from local bird clubs, with some aerial and ship counts,as well as counts of visible migration. Numbers for wintering

waterbird populations are based on midwinter (January) counts.In some cases (e.g. at mires, raised bogs) absolute counts of birdnumbers have also been made. Most bird data are from theperiod 1987–1996.

• Threats and land-use estimates are based on availableinformation from fieldwork in 1996.

GLOSSARY

EOS Estonian Ornithological Society (BirdLife International Partner inEstonia).IZB Institute of Zoology and Botany.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The IBA expert group of the Estonian Ornithological Society (EOS), comprisingAndres Kuresoo, Eerik Leibak, Aivar Leito, Vilju Lilleleht, Kaja Peterson andEinar Tammur, provided valuable input into the development of the IBAinventory for Estonia. EOS also cooperated with the following organisations ondata-gathering: Institute of Zoology and Botany, Estonian Fund for Nature,Matsalu and Nigula Nature Protection Areas, Vilsandi National Park, Instituteof Environmental Protection, Nature Protection Co-operative ‘Kotkas’ (Eagle),Läänemaa Centre of the West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, and thePärnu, Läänemaa and Saaremaa Bird Clubs. Most of the fieldwork for this IBAreview was done by the members of the Estonian Ornithological Society.

Funds for the IBA review were generously provided by the Finnish Ministryof the Environment, BirdLife Suomi–Finland, Royal Society for the Protectionof Birds (BirdLife Partner in the UK), BirdLife International Secretariat,Estonian Ministry of the Environment, Estonian Environmental Fund, localenvironmental funds of Ida-Viru, Narva, Lääne-Viru, Jõgeva, Tartu, Võruand Viljandi Counties, Finnish Twitchers Society (‘Bongariliitto’), and theFinnish student organisation OY ‘Synapsi’.

Recent (unpublished) data was kindly provided by: A. Ader (IZB), J. Elts(EOS), Estonian Fund for Nature, A. Kalamees (Läänemaa Centre, WestEstonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve/Läänemaa Bird Club), T. Kastepõld(Matsalu Nature Protection Area), M. Kose (Pärnumaa Bird Club ‘Buteo’),A. Kullapere (Vilsandi National Park), K. Kullapere (Vilsandi National Park),A. Kuresoo (IZB), A. Kuus (EOS), T. Laur (Pärnumaa Bird Club ‘Buteo’), E.Leibak (Estonian Fund for Nature), A. Leito (Nature Conservation ResearchCentre), A. Leivits (Nigula Nature Protection Area), M. Leivo (SuomenYmpäristökeskus), A. Lepisk (EOS), H. Lipp (Saaremaa Bird Club), A.Lõhmus (Nature Conservation Co-operative ‘Kotkas’), H. Luhamaa (EOS),L. Luigujõe (IZB), E. Mägi (Matsalu Nature Protection Area), R. Marja (EOS),M. Martinson (Saaremaa Bird Club), I. Ojaste (Läänemaa Bird Club), I. Ots(EOS), M. Ots (EOS), U. Paal (EOS), H. Pehlak (EOS), P. Raja (PärnumaaBird Club ‘Buteo’), U. Sellis (Nature Conservation Co-operative ‘Kotkas’),E. Tammur (Nature Conservation Co-operative ‘Kotkas’), E. Vilbaste (NigulaNature Protection Area), and V. Volke (Saaremaa Bird Club).

Special thanks to Melanie Heath, Tony Payne, Mike Evans and theircolleagues in the BirdLife International Secretariat who did an excellent jobon data analysis and helped the IBA coordinator at EOS to prepare the wholenational chapter.

■ SITE ACCOUNTS

■■■■■ Birds

The coastal meadows and lakes comprise an important staging site formigrating Branta leucopsis, and support a good diversity of breedingwaterbirds.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational None International High4,999 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (West EstonianArchipelago, 1,560,000 ha).

■■■■■ Conservation issuesThe main threats are posed by human disturbance of birds, tourism,unsustainable hunting, fishing, overgrowth of coastal meadows with

Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria

Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1996 2,000 3,000 A A4i, B1i

Kõrgessaare–Mudaste coast A4i, B1i 001Admin region HiiuCoordinates 59°00’N 22°29’EAltitude 0–4 m Area 4,999 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA complex of shallow (<4 m) bays with small islets and shallow (<1 m)coastal, relict lakes in the north-western part of Hiiumaa island. Thereare reedbeds and vast coastal meadows. The main economic activitiesare intensive fishing, and grazing.

Habitats Forest and woodland (6%), Grassland (5%), Wetland (20%; standing brackishand salt water; water-fringe vegetation), Marine areas (67%; sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Agriculture (13%), Fisheries/aquaculture (65%), Forestry (5%), Natureconservation/research (100%)

211



Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 800 800 A B1iGrus grus Crane P 1996 600 1,300 A B1i


Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 200 200 A A4i, B1iCygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1996 300 300 A B1iAnser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 1,000 2,000 A B1iBranta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1996 2,000 4,000 A A4i, B1iGrus grus Crane P 1996 1,000 2,000 A B1i



reed Phragmites due to undergrazing, and water pollution by fisherydiscards and by fuel-oil from boats. About 50% of the IBA is a plannedcore area of the West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, andthe IBA is also a potential Ramsar Site. Research involves monitoringof migrating waterbirds.

Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (C),Disturbance to birds (A), Industrialization/urbanization (A), Recreation/tourism (A),Unsustainable exploitation (A)

Vanamõisa bay B1i 002Admin region HiiuCoordinates 58°44’N 22°29’EAltitude 0–3 m Area 1,329 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA shallow (<4 m) bay on the south-west coast of Hiiumaa island, withsmall islets, reedbeds and coastal meadows. The main economicactivity is intensive fishing.

Habitats Wetland (20%; water-fringe vegetation), Marine areas (77%; sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (75%), Nature conservation/research (100%)


Vanamõisa bay is an important staging site for migrating Anser anserand Grus grus.


■■■■■ Conservation issues

Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Disturbance to birds (A),Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

Threats include human disturbance of birds, tourism, unsustainablehunting, fishing, and overgrowth of coastal meadows with reedPhragmites due to undergrazing. The IBA is a planned core area ofthe West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve. Research involvesthe monitoring of migrating and wintering waterbirds.

Käina bay A4i, B1i 003Admin region HiiuCoordinates 58°48’N 22°47’EAltitude 0–5 m Area 1,316 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA shallow (<1 m), inland bay (lagoon) fringed by a low coastline ofreedbeds, meadows and small islets in the southern part of Hiiumaaisland, off the west coast of Estonia. Coastal meadows are used forcattle-grazing. There is a nature trail with three tower-hides.

Habitats Grassland (5%), Wetland (93%; standing brackish and salt water; water-fringe vegetation)Land-use Agriculture (5%), Nature conservation/research (100%), Tourism/recreation (10%)


The bay is an important staging site for migrating wildfowl and Grusgrus. Nearly 90 bird species have been recorded breeding, including awide variety of waterbirds.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational High International High1,316 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape (Käina Bay–Kassari,2,662 ha). 1,316 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Hiiumaa Isletsand Käina Bay, 17,700 ha). 1,316 ha of IBA covered by BiosphereReserve (West Estonian Archipelago, 1,560,000 ha).


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Agricultural intensification/expansion (B), Disturbance to birds (B), Recreation/tourism (A)

Major threats include water pollution from the surrounding area,human disturbance of birds, and overgrowth of coastal meadows withreed Phragmites due to undergrazing. There is a management planfor Käina Bay, which is a planned core area of the West EstonianArchipelago Biosphere Reserve. Research involves the monitoring ofbreeding and migrating waterbirds.

Hiiumaa islets A4i, B1i 004Admin region HiiuCoordinates 58°48’N 23°02’EAltitude 0–11 m Area 16,060 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA complex of shallow (<4 m) bays and small islets on the south-eastcoast of Hiiumaa island. There are reedbeds, coastal meadows andsaltmarshes. The main exploitative land-uses are fishing, tourism andnon-intensive agriculture.

Habitats Wetland (7%), Marine areas (85%; sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Agriculture (5%), Fisheries/aquaculture (80%), Nature conservation/research (50%), Tourism/recreation (5%)


The area is an important staging site for migrating wildfowl,and supports a diverse avifauna, with 190 species recorded (110of which have been recorded breeding). Significant proportion(≥1%) of national population breeding at site: Limosa limosa (min.10 pairs).

■■■■■ Protection statusNational Partial International High2,662 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape (Hiiumaa Islets,2,662 ha). 16,060 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Hiiumaa Isletsand Käina Bay, 17,700 ha). 13,398 ha of IBA covered by BiosphereReserve (West Estonian Archipelago, 1,560,000 ha).


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Agricultural intensification/expansion (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Disturbance to birds (A), Recreation/tourism (A),Unsustainable exploitation (A)

Major threats are posed by human disturbance of birds, tourism,unsustainable hunting, fishing, agricultural pollution, and overgrowthof coastal meadows with reed Phragmites as a result of undergrazing.The IBA is a planned core area of the West Estonian ArchipelagoBiosphere Reserve. Research involves monitoring of birds, seals(Phocidae) and plants.

Hari Kurk strait A4i, B1i 005Admin region Hiiu, LääneCoordinates 58°59’N 23°01’EAltitude 0–4 m Area 30,290 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA shallow (<17 m) sea strait between Hiiumaa island and Vormsiisland, with small islets, reedbeds and coastal meadows. The mainuses of the area are intensive fishing and marine transport.

212



Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 600 600 A A4i, B1iAnser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 300 — B B1iBranta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1996 2,000 2,500 A A4i, B1i


Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant P 1996 1,800 2,000 A B1iCygnus olor Mute Swan P 1996 2,500 3,000 A B1iCygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 600 2,000 A A4i, B1iCygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1996 1,000 3,000 A A4i, B1iAnser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 1,800 — A B1iAnas strepera Gadwall P 1996 500 500 A B1iAythya marila Scaup P 1996 15,000 — B A4i, B1iGrus grus Crane P 1996 2,900 5,750 A A4i, B1iLimosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit B 1995 40 — B B2


Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 200 300 A A4i, B1iCygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1996 500 700 A A4i, B1i

Habitats Marine areas (95%; sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (90%), Nature conservation/research (50%)


Hari Kurk strait is an important moulting and staging area for severalwildfowl species. Significant proportion (≥1%) of national populationbreeding at site: Larus canus (min. 250 pairs), Larus marinus (min.40 pairs).



Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Disturbance to birds (B), Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainableexploitation (A)

The main threats are posed by human disturbance of birds, tourism,hunting, fishing, and overgrowth of coastal meadows with reedPhragmites due to undergrazing. About 50% of the IBA is a plannedcore area of the West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, andthe whole IBA is a potential Ramsar Site. Research involves themonitoring of migrating waterbirds.

Hullo and Sviby bays A4i, B1i 006Admin region LääneCoordinates 58°58’N 23°16’EAltitude 0–4 m Area 2,470 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionHullo and Sviby are shallow (<4 m) bays on the southern coast ofVormsi island, off the west coast of Estonia. There are coastal meadowsand small offshore islets.

Habitats Forest and woodland (7%; native coniferous forest), Grassland (8%),Marine areas (80%; sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Agriculture (8%), Fisheries/aquaculture (75%), Forestry (7%), Natureconservation/research (100%)


Hullo and Sviby bays are important staging areas for migratorywildfowl, supporting more than 10,000 ducks and geese at peakcounts.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational High International High2,470 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape (Rumpo, 2,600 ha).2,470 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (West EstonianArchipelago, 1,560,000 ha).


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Disturbance to birds (B), Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainableexploitation (B)

Threats include overgrowth of coastal meadows with reed Phragmitesdue to undergrazing, recreation/tourism, unsustainable hunting andintensive fishing. The IBA is a planned core area of the West EstonianArchipelago Biosphere Reserve.

Haapsalu–Noarootsi bays A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 007Admin region LääneCoordinates 58°59’N 23°35’EAltitude 0–7 m Area 15,910 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA large complex of shallow (<4 m), eutrophic bays and five relict lakesin western Estonia. The lakes are in the northern part of the IBA andhave developed from the former sea strait following tectonic land-rise. This complex is fringed by coastal meadows and vast reedbeds,and there are more than 40 offshore islets in the bays. The main humanactivities are agriculture, fishing, yachting and reed-cutting. About1,000–2,000 m3 of mud is extracted annually from Haapsalu bay forits curative properties.

Habitats Forest and woodland (12%; mixed forest), Grassland (10%), Wetland (20%;standing brackish and salt water; water-fringe vegetation), Marine areas (43%; sea inlet/coastal features), Artificial landscape (12%)Land-use Agriculture (20%), Fisheries/aquaculture (45%), Forestry (12%), Not utilized (10%),Urban/industrial/transport (5%)


This wetland complex is an important staging site for migratorywaterbirds, especially wildfowl (>40,000 at peak counts) and supportsa good diversity of breeding waterbirds. Significant proportion (≥1%)of national population breeding at site: Tringa totanus (min. 100 pairs),Chlidonias niger (min. 30 pairs).

■■■■■ Protection statusNational Partial International NonePart of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Silma, 4,795 ha).


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (A),Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

The main threats are posed by intensive fishing, unsustainable hunting,tourism, and overgrowth of coastal meadows with reed Phragmites asa result of undergrazing. The area is a proposed Ramsar Site. Researchinvolves monitoring of migrating waterbirds, and geological andichthyological investigations.

Paldiski bay A4i, B1i 008Admin region HarjuCoordinates 59°20’N 24°00’EAltitude 0–23 m Area 14,010 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA complex of shallow (<10 m in parts) sea bays and two islands onthe north-western coast of Estonia, with coastal reedbeds, meadowsand sea-cliffs. The main economic activity is fishing; the islands areused as military practice grounds.

Habitats Forest and woodland (6%), Grassland (7%), Wetland (8%), Marine areas (75%;sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (70%), Military (25%)



Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 2,000 2,500 A A4i, B1i1 Anser anser Greylag Goose N 1996 600 900 A B1i1 Somateria mollissima Eider N 1996 20,000 25,000 A B1i

1. Moulting (summer).

213



Grus grus Crane P 1994 1,000 4,000 A A4i, B1i

Paldiski bay is an important staging area for migrating Cygnuscolumbianus and Cygnus cygnus.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational Partial International None1,450 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape (Pakri, 1,450 ha).


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Aquaculture/fisheries (C),Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A), Other (B)

The main threats are from unsustainable hunting, tourism, overgrowthof coastal meadows with reed Phragmites due to undergrazing, andmilitary activities (‘Other’ threat, above). Research involvesmonitoring of wintering and breeding waterbirds.

Marimetsa bog A4i, B1i 009Admin region LääneCoordinates 58°56’N 24°00’EAltitude 35–40 m Area 4,599 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA large raised bog with pools in western Estonia. There is practicallyno exploitative land-use.

Habitats Forest and woodland (13%; native coniferous forest), Wetland (86%; raised bog)Land-use Forestry (24%), Nature conservation/research (100%)


The bog is an important roosting place in autumn for migrating Grusgrus, and a good diversity of mire and forest species breed.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational High International None4,599 ha of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Marimetsa,4,599 ha).


Threats Intensified forest management (C)

Threats are practically absent. Research involves monitoring ofroosting Grus grus.

Matsalu Bay A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 010Admin region LääneCoordinates 58°45’N 23°40’EAltitude 0–32 m Area 51,880 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA large wetland complex in western Estonia comprising shallow seabays with many small islets, the Kasari delta, saltmarshes, extensivereedbeds, and coastal and flood-plain meadows. Fisheries, agricultureand forestry are major human uses of the area.

Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; mixed forest), Grassland (8%; humid grassland),Wetland (10%; water-fringe vegetation), Marine areas (58%; sea inlet/coastal features),Artificial landscape (14%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land)Land-use Agriculture (20%), Fisheries/aquaculture (45%), Forestry (10%), Natureconservation/research (100%)

■■■■■ BirdsMatsalu Nature Protection Area is the most important bird area inEstonia, supporting very large numbers of migrating and/or breedingwaterbirds, primarily wildfowl and especially seaduck. The site holdsmore than 20,000 waterbirds on a regular basis. Breeding species ofglobal conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetusalbicilla (3 pairs), Gallinago media (3 pairs). Significant proportion (≥1%)of national population breeding at site: Chlidonias niger (min. 150 pairs),

Bubo bubo (6 pairs). More than 60,000 divers Gavia (G. stellata/G. arctica) fly through the area on spring migration (number of stagingbirds is unknown). The avifauna is very diverse, with 260 speciesrecorded, including 170 breeding species.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational High International High48,600 ha of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Matsalu,48,600 ha). 48,600 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Matsalu,48,600 ha).


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Agricultural intensification/expansion (C), Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Disturbance to birds (C), Recreation/tourism (A),Unsustainable exploitation (C)

The main threats come from tourism, intensive fishing, and theovergrowth of coastal and flood-plain meadows with reed Phragmitesand scrub as a result of undergrazing or lack of mowing. The wetlandis also affected by effluent pollution from surrounding farms. Thereis a management plan for the Nature Protection Area. Matsalu bay isvery important for nature-conservation research, and is the centre forbird-ringing in Estonia.

Küdema bay A1, A4i, B1i 011Admin region SaareCoordinates 58°32’N 22°16’EAltitude 0–7 m Area 4,822 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA shallow (<20 m) sea bay on the northern coast of Saaremaa island,with small islets, reedbeds, coastal meadows and saltmarshes. The maineconomic activities are fishing, forestry and tourism.

Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; mixed forest), Wetland (6%), Marine areas (83%; seainlet/coastal features)Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (80%), Forestry (10%), Nature conservation/ research (100%)

■■■■■ BirdsKüdema bay is an important wintering area for two duck species anda notable breeding area for several waterbirds. Significant proportion


Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant B 1996 1,500 1,500 A A4i, B1iBotaurus stellaris Bittern B 1996 20 — A B2Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 1,000 16,000 A A4i, B1iCygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1996 1,000 4,000 A A4i, B1iAnser fabalis Bean Goose P 1996 5,000 7,000 A A4i, B1iAnser anser Greylag Goose B 1996 420 — A B1iAnser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 5,000 10,000 A A4i, B1iBranta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1996 1,000 15,000 A A4i, B1iAnas acuta Pintail P 1996 10,000 — B B1iAnas clypeata Shoveler P 1996 1,000 — B B1i

1 Anas clypeata Shoveler N 1996 2,000 2,000 B B1i1 Aythya ferina Pochard N 1996 9,000 9,000 A B1iAythya fuligula Tufted Duck P 1996 12,000 — B B1iAythya marila Scaup P 1996 10,000 — A A4i, B1i

2 Clangula hyemalis Long-tailed Duck P 1996 250,000 1,600,000 A A4i, B1i2 Melanitta nigra Common Scoter P 1996 200,000 — A A4i, B1i2 Melanitta fusca Velvet Scoter P 1996 350,000 400,000 A A4i, B1iBucephala clangula Goldeneye P 1996 10,000 — A A4i, B1iMergus albellus Smew P 1996 150 500 A B1iPorzana porzana Spotted Crake B 1996 85 — C B3Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 30 — A A1Fulica atra Coot P 1996 10,000 20,000 A B1iGrus grus Crane P 1996 15,000 20,000 A A4i, B1iCharadrius hiaticula Ringed Plover P 1996 3,000 3,000 B A4i, B1iCalidris alpina Dunlin B 1996 90 — A B1iLimosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit B 1996 150 — A B2Tringa totanus Redshank B 1996 225 — A B2Tringa totanus Redshank P 1996 2,000 — B B1iLarus canus Common Gull B 1996 800 — A B2Larus marinus Great Black-backed Gull B 1996 430 — A B3Sterna caspia Caspian Tern B 1996 140 — A A4i, B1i, B2Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1996 45 — A B2

1. Moulting (summer).2. Non-stop migration (number of staging birds is unknown).

214



Polysticta stelleri Steller’s Eider W 1996 300 400 A A1, A4i, B1iBucephala clangula Goldeneye W 1996 3,000 3,000 A B1i


Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 900 1,000 B B1iPolysticta stelleri Steller’s Eider W 1996 1,500 3,200 A A1, A4i, B1iBucephala clangula Goldeneye W 1996 3,000 3,000 A B1iGrus grus Crane B 1996 40 60 B B2


Cygnus olor Mute Swan P 1996 2,500 2,500 A B1iAnser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 600 1,500 A B1iBranta leucopsis Barnacle Goose B 1996 33 33 A B3Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1996 6,000 10,000 A A4i, B1iAythya marila Scaup P 1996 3,100 — B B1iPolysticta stelleri Steller’s Eider W 1996 550 2,500 A A1, A4i, B1iMergus merganser Goosander P 1996 1,800 — A B1iGrus grus Crane B 1996 30 30 B B2Grus grus Crane P 1996 900 900 B B1iLarus marinus Great Black-backed Gull B 1996 200 350 A B3


Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1996 10,000 — A A4i, B1i

(≥1%) of national population breeding at site: Larus marinus (min.105 pairs).



Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (A),Disturbance to birds (A), Recreation/tourism (B), Unsustainable exploitation (C)

Major threats are posed by intensive fishing, overgrowth of coastalmeadows with reed Phragmites due to undergrazing, and tourism. Aplanned core area of the West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserveis contained by the IBA. Research involves monitoring of winteringand breeding waterbirds.

Tagamõisa peninsula A1, A4i, B1i, B2 012Admin region SaareCoordinates 58°29’N 21°56’EAltitude 0–17 m Area 11,130 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA peninsula on the north-western coast of Saaremaa island, surroundedby a shallow (<20 m) sea with shallow (4 m) bays. There are many smalllakes, forest, sand-dunes, coastal meadows and grasslands. The primaryland-uses are fishing, and grazing of sheep and cattle.

Habitats Forest and woodland (18%; native coniferous forest), Wetland (10%; standingfresh water), Marine areas (50%; sea inlet/coastal features), Artificial landscape (15%;highly improved reseeded grassland; other urban/industrial areas)Land-use Agriculture (10%), Fisheries/aquaculture (50%), Forestry (10%), Natureconservation/research (90%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%)


The area is important for several waterbird species, notably Polystictastelleri.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational Partial International High5,000 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Vilsandi, 16,657 ha).11,130 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (West EstonianArchipelago, 1,560,000 ha).


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (C), Aquaculture/fisheries (B),Disturbance to birds (B), Recreation/tourism (A), Other (B)

The main threats are posed by fishing, tourism, and fuel-oil pollutionfrom boats (‘Other’ threat, above). Research involves monitoring ofwintering waterbirds.

Vilsandi archipelago A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 013Admin region SaareCoordinates 58°21’N 21°54’EAltitude 0–9 m Area 18,230 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA large complex of shallow (<5 m) bays on the western coast ofSaaremaa island, with many small islets and some lakes. Vegetation

includes reedbeds, coastal meadows, and forest. The main land-usesare nature-conservation projects and research, and grazing of cattleand sheep.

Habitats Forest and woodland (15%; native coniferous forest), Grassland (5%),Wetland (10%), Marine areas (60%; sea inlet/coastal features), Artificial landscape (5%)Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%)


Vilsandi archipelago is an important breeding, staging and winteringarea for waterbirds, especially wildfowl, and notably Polysticta stelleriin winter. Significant proportion (≥1%) of national populationbreeding at site: Larus canus (400 pairs), Sterna caspia (3–4 pairs).

■■■■■ Protection statusNational High International High18,230 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Vilsandi, 23,756 ha).18,230 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Vilsandi National Park,24,100 ha). 18,230 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (WestEstonian Archipelago, 1,560,000 ha).


Threats Recreation/tourism (A)

Tourism poses a major threat. Research includes large-scale complexmonitoring of birds and the environment.

Karala–Pilguse coast A4i, B1i 014Admin region SaareCoordinates 58°15’N 21°57’EAltitude 0–5 m Area 3,114 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA complex of shallow (<4 m) sea bays and small islets on the westcoast of Saaremaa island, with vast coastal meadows, reedbeds,saltmarshes and shallow lakes. The main economic activities arefishing, and grazing of sheep and cattle.

Habitats Forest and woodland (17%; mixed forest), Wetland (30%; standing fresh water;water-fringe vegetation), Marine areas (40%; sea inlet/coastal features), Artificiallandscape (13%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land)Land-use Agriculture (20%), Fisheries/aquaculture (40%), Forestry (17%), Natureconservation/research (100%)


The most important staging area for migrating Branta leucopsis inEstonia.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational Low International High50 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Vilsandi, 16,657 ha). 3,114 haof IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (West Estonian Archipelago,1,560,000 ha).


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Agricultural intensification/expansion (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Disturbance to birds (A), Recreation/tourism (A),Unsustainable exploitation (A)

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Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 200 — A B1iBranta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1996 5,000 5,000 A A4i, B1iMergus albellus Smew W 1993 250 — A B1iLarus marinus Great Black-backed Gull B 1995 200 — A B3Sterna caspia Caspian Tern B 1995 70 — A A4i, B1i, B2

Major threats are posed by unsustainable hunting, tourism,overgrowth of coastal meadows with reed Phragmites as a result ofundergrazing, and intensive fishing. A core area of the West EstonianArchipelago Biosphere Reserve is planned within the IBA.Naistekivimaa islet (part of the IBA) overlaps with Vilsandi NationalPark. Research involves monitoring of migrating waterbirds.

Riksu coast A4i, B1i 015Admin region SaareCoordinates 58°11’N 22°05’EAltitude 0–4 m Area 1,904 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA complex of shallow (<4 m) sea bays on the western coast ofSaaremaa island, with small offshore islets, vast coastal meadows,saltmarshes and a shallow lake. The main economic activities arefishing and grazing of sheep and cattle.

Habitats Forest and woodland (7%; mixed forest), Grassland (8%), Wetland (17%;standing fresh water; water-fringe vegetation), Marine areas (60%; sea inlet/coastalfeatures)Land-use Agriculture (10%), Fisheries/aquaculture (60%), Forestry (7%)


Riksu coast is an important staging area for migrating Branta leucopsis.



Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (B),Disturbance to birds (A), Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

Threats are posed by unsustainable hunting, tourism, overgrowth ofcoastal meadows by reed Phragmites as a result of undergrazing, andintensive fishing. Research involves monitoring of migrating andwintering waterbirds.

Lõu bay A4i, B1i, B2, B3 016Admin region SaareCoordinates 58°07’N 22°10’EAltitude 0–4 m Area 4,815 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA shallow (<8 m) bay with small islets, vast coastal meadows andsaltmarshes on the south-western coast of Saaremaa island. The maineconomic activities are fishing, and grazing of sheep and cattle.

Habitats Grassland (5%), Wetland (5%), Marine areas (90%; sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Agriculture (8%), Fisheries/aquaculture (90%)


Lõu bay is an important staging area for geese and a notable breedingarea for several waterbirds.



Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Disturbance to birds (A), Recreation/tourism (A),Unsustainable exploitation (A)

Major threats are posed by unsustainable hunting, tourism andintensive fishing. The IBA contains a planned core area of the WestEstonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, and is also a potentialRamsar Site. Research involves monitoring of migrating and winteringwaterbirds.

Sõrve peninsula A4i, A4iii, B1i 017Admin region SaareCoordinates 57°58’N 21°59’EAltitude 0–3 m Area 14,840 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn area of shallow (<20 m) sea and coast along the southern andwestern sides of Sõrve peninsula (Saaremaa island), with vast reedbeds,coastal meadows and saltmarshes. The main economic activity isfishing.

Habitats Marine areas (95%; sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (95%)


The area is an important staging area for migrating and winteringwaterbirds, especially wintering divers. The site holds 20,000 or morewaterbirds on a regular basis.



Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (A),Other (B)

Threats are posed by intensive fishing, overgrowth of coastal meadowswith reed Phragmites as a result of undergrazing, fuel-oil pollutionfrom boats (‘Other’ threat, above), unsustainable hunting, andtourism. Two planned core areas of the West Estonian ArchipelagoBiosphere Reserve are contained by the IBA. Research involvesmonitoring of migrating and wintering waterbirds.

Relict lakes B1i 018of southern SaaremaaAdmin region SaareCoordinates 58°15’N 22°22’EAltitude 0–6 m Area 5,735 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA complex of shallow (<2 m), relict lakes and vast reedbeds along thesouthern coast of Saaremaa island. Mud is extracted from Mullutuand Suurlaht lakes for its curative properties. The main economicactivities are fishing, reed-cutting (‘Other’ land-use, below) andhunting.

Habitats Forest and woodland (25%), Wetland (70%; standing brackish and salt water;water-fringe vegetation)Land-use Agriculture (5%), Fisheries/aquaculture (18%), Forestry (20%), Hunting (20%),Nature conservation/research (100%), Other (35%)

Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria1 Gavia stellata Red-throated Diver W 1993 Abundant — A4i, B1i1 Gavia arctica Black-throated Diver W 1993 Abundant — A4i, B1iAnser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 500 500 A B1iClangula hyemalis Long-tailed Duck P 1996 55,000 — A A4i, B1iMergus albellus Smew W 1993 250 250 A B1iAlca torda Razorbill W 1993 300 300 A B1iCepphus grylle Black Guillemot W 1996 300 300 A B1i

1. >17,000 G. stellata/G. arctica.

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Botaurus stellaris Bittern B 1996 15 — A B2Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 500 — A B1iGrus grus Crane P 1996 1,000 — A B1i


Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant B 1996 800 800 A B1iBranta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1996 2,000 3,000 A A4i, B1iBucephala clangula Goldeneye P 1996 4,500 — A A4i, B1i


Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 500 — B B1iBranta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1996 3,000 5,000 A A4i, B1i


Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1996 3,000 6,000 A A4i, B1iAnas strepera Gadwall B 1996 120 — B B1i

1 Anas strepera Gadwall N 1996 500 500 B B1i

1. Moulting (summer).


The area is an important staging area for migrating Anser anser andGrus grus and a notable breeding area for several waterbirds.Significant proportion (≥1%) of national population breeding at site:Grus grus (10 pairs), Larus minutus (50 pairs), Chlidonias niger(20 pairs).

■■■■■ Protection statusNational Low International High285 ha of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Linnulaht Lake,285 ha). 5,735 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (West EstonianArchipelago, 1,560,000 ha).


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (C),Disturbance to birds (A), Drainage (B), Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainableexploitation (A)

Major threats are posed by unsustainable hunting, tourism, and theovergrowth of coastal meadows with reed Phragmites due toundergrazing. The IBA is a planned core area of the West EstonianArchipelago Biosphere Reserve, as well as a potential Ramsar Site.Research involves monitoring of breeding birds and migratingwaterbirds.

Abruka island A4i, B1i 019Admin region SaareCoordinates 58°08’N 22°31’EAltitude 0–7 m Area 4,707 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionAn area of shallow (<12 m) sea with small offshore islands and isletsalong the southern coast of Saaremaa island. The coastline is complex,with vast reedbeds, coastal meadows and saltmarshes. The mainhuman uses of the landscape are fishing, tourism, yachting and sheep-grazing.

Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; broadleaved deciduous forest), Wetland (13%;water-fringe vegetation), Marine areas (75%; sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Agriculture (10%), Fisheries/aquaculture (75%), Forestry (10%), Natureconservation/research (100%), Tourism/recreation (30%)


The area is an important breeding or staging site for several migratorywaterbirds. Significant proportion (≥1%) of national populationbreeding at site: Larus marinus (100 pairs), Sterna caspia (3 pairs).

■■■■■ Protection statusNational Low International High103 ha of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Abruka, 103 ha).4,707 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (West EstonianArchipelago, 1,560,000 ha).


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (B),Disturbance to birds (A), Intensified forest management (C), Recreation/tourism (A),Unsustainable exploitation (A)

Major threats are posed by unsustainable hunting, tourism,overgrowth of coastal meadows with reed Phragmites due toundergrazing, and intensive fishing. The area is a planned core areaof the West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve. Researchinvolves monitoring of breeding birds and migrating waterbirds.

Kasti bay A4i, B1i 020Admin region SaareCoordinates 58°14’N 22°37’EAltitude 0–2 m Area 3,877 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA complex of shallow (<4 m) bays and small islets on the southern coastof Saaremaa island, with vast reedbeds, coastal meadows andsaltmarshes. The main economic activities are fishing, sheep-grazingand forestry.

Habitats Forest and woodland (5%), Grassland (5%), Wetland (25%; saltmarsh, water-fringe vegetation), Marine areas (65%; sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Agriculture (15%), Fisheries/aquaculture (60%), Forestry (5%), Natureconservation/research (100%)


Kasti bay is an important staging area for migrating geese and a notablebreeding area for several waterbirds. Significant proportion (≥1%) ofnational population breeding at site: Sterna albifrons (min. 10 pairs).



Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (B),Disturbance to birds (B), Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

Major threats are posed by unsustainable hunting, tourism, overgrowthof coastal meadows with reed Phragmites due to undergrazing, andintensive fishing. The area is a planned core area of the West EstonianArchipelago Biosphere Reserve. Research involves monitoring ofmigrating waterbirds.

Siiksaare–Oessaare bays A4i, B1i 021Admin region SaareCoordinates 58°19’N 22°53’EAltitude 0–3 m Area 2,917 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA complex of shallow (<2 m) bays and relict lakes on the southerncoast of Saaremaa island, with small islets, vast reedbeds, coastalmeadows and saltmarshes. The main economic activities are fishing,sheep-grazing and forestry.

Habitats Forest and woodland (15%), Wetland (45%; standing brackish and salt water;water-fringe vegetation), Marine areas (35%; sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Agriculture (10%), Fisheries/aquaculture (40%), Forestry (15%), Natureconservation/research (25%), Not utilized (25%)


A diverse selection of migratory waterbirds use the site for stagingand/or breeding, with important numbers of several species. Significantproportion (≥1%) of national population breeding at site: Grus grus(10 pairs), Larus canus (min. 400 pairs), Larus marinus (20 pairs).


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Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose B 1996 45 45 A B3Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1996 10,000 10,000 A A4i, B1iClangula hyemalis Long-tailed Duck P 1996 50,000 — A A4i, B1iGrus grus Crane P 1996 1,500 1,500 A B1i


Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 500 1,700 A A4i, B1iCygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1996 500 700 A A4i, B1iAnser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 3,500 3,500 A A4i, B1iBranta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1996 10,000 10,000 A A4i, B1iAnas penelope Wigeon P 1995 13,000 — A B1iClangula hyemalis Long-tailed Duck P 1995 150,000 — A A4i, B1iBucephala clangula Goldeneye P 1995 4,500 — A A4i, B1iCalidris alpina Dunlin B 1995 75 75 A B1iLarus minutus Little Gull B 1995 80 80 A B2Larus canus Common Gull B 1995 700 700 A B2Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern B 1995 200 200 A B2


Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 250 250 B A4i, B1iCygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1996 550 550 B B1iAythya marila Scaup P 1990 20,000 20,000 B A4i, B1i

1 Clangula hyemalis Long-tailed Duck P 1996 1,650,000 1,650,000 A A4i, B1i2 Melanitta nigra Common Scoter P 1990 20,000 20,000 B A4i, B1i3 Melanitta fusca Velvet Scoter P 1995 9,300 9,300 B A4i, B1iMergus albellus Smew P 1996 400 400 B B1i

1. Non-stop migration.2. 20,000 staging; 192,000 on non-stop migration.3. 9,300 staging; 386,000 on non-stop migration.


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Drainage (B), Recreation/tourism (C), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

The main threats are unsustainable hunting, intensive fishing,overgrowth of coastal meadows with reed Phragmites due toundergrazing, and tourism. The IBA is a planned core area of theWest Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, and is also a potentialRamsar Site. Research involves monitoring of migrating waterbirds.

Kahtla–Kübassaare coast A4i, A4iii, B1i, B3 022Admin region SaareCoordinates 58°26’N 23°10’EAltitude 0–4 m Area 11,710 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA complex of shallow (<3 m) bays on the south-eastern coast ofSaaremaa island, with small islets, vast reedbeds, coastal meadowsand saltmarshes. The main economic activities are fishing, grazing ofcattle and sheep, and forestry.

Habitats Forest and woodland (7%), Grassland (5%), Wetland (15%; water-fringevegetation), Marine areas (70%; sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Agriculture (10%), Fisheries/aquaculture (70%), Forestry (7%), Natureconservation/research (100%)


A diverse selection of migratory waterbirds use the site for stagingand/or breeding, with several species occurring in important numbers.The site holds 20,000 or more waterbirds on a regular basis. Significantproportion (≥1%) of national population breeding at site: Larus canus(min. 400 pairs), Sterna caspia (5 pairs).



Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (A),Disturbance to birds (A), Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

The main threats are intensive fishing, unsustainable hunting, tourism,and overgrowth of coastal meadows with reed Phragmites as a resultof undergrazing. Two planned core areas of the West EstonianArchipelago Biosphere Reserve are contained by the IBA. Researchinvolves monitoring of migrating and breeding waterbirds.

Väike Väin strait A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 023Admin region SaareCoordinates 58°32’N 23°11’EAltitude 0–5 m Area 18,480 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA shallow (<6 m) sea strait between two large islands—Saaremaa andMuhu—in western Estonia. The coast is a complex of shallow (<2 m)bays, meadows and reedbeds. The main human activities are intensivefishing, yachting and tourism, and reed-cutting (‘Other’ land-use, below).

Habitats Wetland (18%; water-fringe vegetation), Marine areas (75%; sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Agriculture (10%), Fisheries/aquaculture (70%), Other (5%), Tourism/recreation (30%)

■■■■■ BirdsVäike Väin strait is a very important staging area for migratingwildfowl and an important breeding area for several waders and gull/

tern species. The site holds 20,000 or more waterbirds on a regularbasis. Significant proportion (≥1%) of national population breedingat site: Tringa totanus (min. 200 pairs), Larus marinus (min. 40 pairs).



Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (A),Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (A), Disturbance to birds (A), Industrialization/urbanization (A), Infrastructure (A), Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

Major threats are posed by tourism, nutrient pollution due to fertilizerrun-off, fuel-oil pollution from boats, overgrowth of coastal meadowswith reed Phragmites due to undergrazing, fishing, and unsustainablehunting. The strait is divided into two bays by an embanked road-dam, which has blocked off natural water currents through the strait.Three core areas of the West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reservehave been designated in this IBA, which is also a proposed RamsarSite. Research involves monitoring of migrating waterbirds.

Suur Väin strait A4i, A4iii, B1i 024Admin region Saare, LääneCoordinates 58°36’N 23°29’EAltitude 0–5 m Area 16,010 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA shallow (<19 m) sea strait between Muhu island and the westernEstonian mainland, with a complex coast of shallow (<2 m) bays, relictlakes, meadows and reedbeds. The main economic activity is intensivefishing, and there is a busy sea-route between Muhu island and themainland.

Habitats Marine areas (88%; sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (85%), Nature conservation/research (21%), Urban/industrial/transport (10%)


Suur Väin strait is important for migrating wildfowl and divers Gavia,with large numbers staging and huge numbers passing straight through(e.g. 62,600 Gavia stellata/G. arctica in spring 1990s; number ofstaging birds unknown). The site holds 20,000 or more waterbirds ona regular basis.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational Partial International Partial3,959 ha of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Laelatu–Puhtu–Nehatu, 4,640 ha). 3,959 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Puhto–

218



Grus grus Crane P 1996 200 2,000 A B1i


Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 600 — A A4i, B1i

Laleatu–Nehatu, 4,640 ha). 8,000 ha of IBA covered by BiosphereReserve (West Estonian Archipelago, 1,560,000 ha).


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Agriculturalintensification/expansion (C), Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Disturbance to birds (B),Industrialization/urbanization (B), Infrastructure (B), Recreation/tourism (A),Unsustainable exploitation (A)

Major threats are posed by tourism, unsustainable hunting, nutrientpollution due to fishery discards and fertilizer run-off, fuel-oil pollutionfrom boats, and overgrowth of coastal meadows with reed Phragmitesas a result of undergrazing. The IBA is a proposed Ramsar Site.Research includes studies on the migration of Arctic waterbirds, andseveral botanical studies.

Nehatu mire B1i 025Admin region LääneCoordinates 58°33’N 23°38’EAltitude 3–4 m Area 681 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA mire with a large number of shallow (<1 m), relict lakes. Habitatsinclude patchy bogs, fens, marshy wooded meadows, and woods. Thereis practically no exploitative land-use.

Habitats Forest and woodland (40%; alluvial/very wet forest), Wetland (60%; standingfresh water; raised bog; fen/transition mire/spring)Land-use Not utilized (100%)


Nehatu mire is an important roosting place in autumn for migratingGrus grus.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational High International High681 ha of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Laelatu–Puhtu–Nehatu, 4,640 ha). 681 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Puhto–Laleatu–Nehatu, 4,640 ha).


Threats Drainage (A)

Drainage of the area surrounding the IBA poses a threat. Forestmanagement, improvement of land for agriculture, peat-digging andhunting are all prohibited in the Nature Protection Area. Togetherwith part of site 024 (Suur Väin strait), this site forms the Laelatu–Puhtu–Nehatu wetland complex (Ramsar Site). Research involvescounts of roosting and moulting Grus grus, and botanical andlandscape monitoring are planned.

Nätsi–Võlla bog A4i, B1i 026Admin region PärnuCoordinates 58°30’N 24°00’EAltitude 15–25 m Area 9,831 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA large raised bog in western Estonia, with many pools.

Habitats Forest and woodland (5%), Wetland (95%; raised bog)Land-use Forestry (5%), Nature conservation/research (100%), Tourism/recreation (5%)


Nätsi–Võlla bog is an important staging area for migrating Cygnuscolumbianus, and supports a diverse assemblage of breeding waders.

Significant proportion (≥1%) of national population breeding at site:Grus grus (10–20 pairs), Limosa limosa (5–10 pairs).

■■■■■ Protection statusNational High International None9,831 ha of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Nätsi–Võlla,9,881 ha).


Threats Drainage (A), Recreation/tourism (A)

Major threats are drainage of the surrounding area, and tourism. TheIBA is a potential Ramsar Site. Research involves monitoring ofbirds.

Kihnu strait A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 027Admin region PärnuCoordinates 58°11’N 24°03’EAltitude 0–9 m Area 47,910 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA shallow (<12 m) sea strait between Kihnu island and the westEstonian mainland, with a complex of small islets and shallow (<2 m)bays. There is a mosaic of meadows and reedbeds along the coast.Fishing and tourism are intensive in the area.

Habitats Marine areas (95%; sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (90%), Nature conservation/research (100%), Tourism/recreation (20%)


Kihnu strait is an important staging area for migrating waterbirds,especially wildfowl, and supports important numbers of breedingwaders and gulls/terns (Laridae). The site holds 20,000 or morewaterbirds on a regular basis. Significant proportion (≥1%) of nationalpopulation breeding at site: Larus canus (500 pairs), Sterna caspia(5 pairs).

■■■■■ Protection statusNational Low International None21 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape (Sangelaid, 21 ha).201 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape (Manilaid andAnnilaid, 201 ha). 3 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape (SorguIsland, 3 ha). 21 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape (TõstamaaIslets, 21 ha).


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (C), Aquaculture/fisheries (A),Disturbance to birds (A), Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

The main threats are posed by tourism, fuel-oil pollution from boats,overgrowth of coastal meadows with reed Phragmites due toundergrazing, and unsustainable hunting and egg-collection. A smallpart of the IBA is a potential Ramsar Site (Tõstamaa Islets, 21 ha). AMarine Park (Nature Park) is proposed at Kihnu Väin strait. Researchinvolves studies on the migration and breeding of waterbirds.

Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria1 Gavia stellata Red-throated Diver P 1996 Common — A4i, B1i1 Gavia arctica Black-throated Diver P 1996 Common — A4i, B1iPhalacrocorax carbo Cormorant P 1996 3,500 — A B1iCygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 1,000 3,600 A A4i, B1iCygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1996 300 500 A B1iBranta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1996 1,500 3,000 A A4i, B1iAythya marila Scaup P 1996 30,000 — A A4i, B1iClangula hyemalis Long-tailed Duck P 1996 125,000 — A A4i, B1iMelanitta nigra Common Scoter P 1996 55,000 — A A4i, B1iMelanitta fusca Velvet Scoter P 1996 80,000 — A A4i, B1iBucephala clangula Goldeneye P 1996 5,000 — B A4i, B1iCalidris alpina Dunlin B 1994 70 100 B B1iLimosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit B 1994 45 — B B2Tringa totanus Redshank B 1994 340 — B B2Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern B 1994 80 80 B B2

1. >2,000 G. stellata/G. arctica staging in spring.

219


Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc CriteriaCygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 5,000 17,500 A A4i, B1iCygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1996 300 600 A B1iAnser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 400 400 A B1iBranta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1996 3,000 6,000 A A4i, B1i


Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 200 600 A A4i, B1iBranta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1996 2,000 — A A4i, B1i

Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc CriteriaAnser fabalis Bean Goose P 1996 15,000 15,000 B A4i, B1iAnser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1996 15,000 15,000 B A4i, B1iTetrao tetrix Black Grouse R 1996 200 — C B2Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 20 30 A A1

Audru polder A4i, A4iii, B1i 028Admin region PärnuCoordinates 58°24’N 24°21’EAltitude 0–2 m Area 788 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA polder complex near Pärnu town in western Estonia. The land isused for haymaking and cattle-grazing.

Habitats Artificial landscape (95%; highly improved reseeded grassland)Land-use Agriculture (95%), Nature conservation/research (100%)


Audru polder is an important staging area for migrating wildfowl,especially Cygnus columbianus for which it is the most important stagingsite in Europe in spring. The site holds 20,000 or more waterbirds on aregular basis.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational None International None


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Agricultural intensification/expansion (A), Disturbance to birds (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

The main threats are the intensification of agriculture in some areasand the reduction of land management in other areas, as well asunsustainable hunting. The area requires moderate agricultural activityto maintain habitat suitable for key bird species. Research involvesthe monitoring of migrating waterbirds.

Pärnu bay A4i, A4iii, B1i 029Admin region PärnuCoordinates 58°18’N 24°22’EAltitude 0–0 m Area 17,770 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA shallow (<9 m) bay in south-west Estonia. Fishing and ship activityare intense in the area.

Habitats Marine areas (100%; sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (100%), Urban/industrial/transport (10%)


In spring, Pärnu bay is a very important staging area for migratingdivers Gavia and wildfowl, especially seaduck. The site holds 20,000or more waterbirds on a regular basis.



Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (A), Other (A)

Major threats are posed by fuel-oil pollution from boats (‘Other’ threat,above) and intensive fishing. Research involves monitoring of migratingwaterbirds.

Häädemeeste–Võiste coast A4i, B1i 030Admin region PärnuCoordinates 58°08’N 24°29’EAltitude 0–3 m Area 3,630 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA complex of shallow sea (<2 m) and small islets, with vast reedbedsand coastal meadows on the south-western coast of Estonia. The maineconomic activities are fishing (intensive), grazing and hunting.

Habitats Grassland (6%), Wetland (25%; saltmarsh; water-fringe vegetation), Marineareas (65%; sea inlet/coastal features)Land-use Agriculture (30%), Fisheries/aquaculture (60%), Hunting (20%)


The area is an important staging site (in spring) for migrating Cygnuscolumbianus and Branta leucopsis. The avifauna is diverse, with185 species recorded, of which 65 have been recorded breeding.Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBAcriteria: Crex crex (min. 5 pairs). Significant proportion (≥1%) ofnational population breeding at site: Limosa limosa (min. 10 pairs).

■■■■■ Protection statusNational Partial International None2,000 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape (Rannametsa–Soometsa, 8,085 ha).


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Disturbance to birds (A),Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

The main threats are caused by human disturbance of birds, tourism,unsustainable hunting, fishing, and overgrowth of coastal meadows withreed Phragmites due to undergrazing. Häädemeeste coastal meadow isa potential Ramsar Site. Research involves monitoring of birds.

Nigula, Kodaja A1, A4i, B1i, B2 031and Rongu bogsAdmin region PärnuCoordinates 58°00’N 24°44’EAltitude 50–60 m Area 8,850 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA complex of raised bogs, numerous pools, and broadleaved deciduousand mixed forests in south-west Estonia. The main land-uses areforestry, non-intensive agriculture, nature conservation and research,and tourism.

Habitats Forest and woodland (44%; broadleaved deciduous forest; mixed forest),Wetland (40%; raised bog), Artificial landscape (16%; highly improved reseededgrassland; arable land)Land-use Agriculture (16%), Forestry (18%), Nature conservation/research (100%),Tourism/recreation (6%)


An important staging area for migratory geese Anser (totalling 30,000–40,000 at peak counts) and Grus grus, and an important breeding areafor several species of mire and forest. Significant proportion (≥1%) ofnational population breeding at site: Grus grus (10 pairs), Picus canus(5–10 pairs).

■■■■■ Protection statusNational Partial International Partial

Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria1 Gavia stellata Red-throated Diver P 1996 Common — A4i, B1i1 Gavia arctica Black-throated Diver P 1996 Common — A4i, B1iCygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 500 — A A4i, B1iAythya marila Scaup P 1996 30,000 — A A4i, B1iClangula hyemalis Long-tailed Duck P 1996 50,000 — A A4i, B1iMelanitta nigra Common Scoter P 1996 30,000 — A A4i, B1iMelanitta fusca Velvet Scoter P 1996 50,000 — A A4i, B1iMergus albellus Smew P 1996 250 — A B1i

1. >1,000 G. stellata/G. arctica staging in spring.

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Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc CriteriaCygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 500 2,000 A A4i, B1iAquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle R 1996 3 4 A B2Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 50 100 B A1, B2Grus grus Crane B 1996 20 — A B2Grus grus Crane P 1996 1,000 1,000 A B1i


Grus grus Crane P 1996 500 800 A B1i


Grus grus Crane P 1996 1,000 2,500 A A4i, B1i


Tetrao tetrix Black Grouse R 1996 150 150 B B2

1,590 ha of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Kodaja,1,590 ha). 4,951 ha of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Nigula,4,951 ha). 1,141 ha of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Rongu,1,141 ha). 4,951 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Nigula, 4,951 ha).


Threats Consequences of animal/plant introductions (C), Drainage (A), Intensified forestmanagement (A), Recreation/tourism (B), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

Major threats are posed by intensification of forestry, drainage,unsustainable hunting, and tourism. Regeneration of deciduousforest is limited due to overbrowsing by introduced red deer Cervuselaphus. Research involves monitoring of birds (since 1968) and mireplants.

Soomaa mire complex A1, A4i, B1i, B2 032Admin region Pärnu, ViljandiCoordinates 58°25’N 25°05’EAltitude 15–30 m Area 36,890 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA large complex of raised bogs and extensive forests (including wetalluvial forests) in central Estonia, with fens, transition mires, andunregulated rivers with flood-plain and wooded meadows. The mainland-uses are forestry, tourism, small-scale agriculture and berry-picking.

Habitats Forest and woodland (45%; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest),Wetland (50%; raised bog; fen/transition mire/spring)Land-use Forestry (40%), Nature conservation/research (100%), Tourism/recreation (30%)


The mires and forests are important for several breeding speciesand an important staging area for migrating Cygnus columbianus andGrus grus.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational High International High36,890 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Soomaa, 37,121 ha).36,890 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Soomaa National Park,37,121 ha).


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Drainage (A), Intensifiedforest management (A), Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

Major threats are posed by forestry, drainage, unsustainable hunting,tourism, and the overgrowth of flood-plain meadows by shrubs(haymaking is required to maintain habitat suitable for key birdspecies). The management plan for Soomaa National Park will beready in 2000. Research involves monitoring of birds and mire plants.

Laukasoo bog B1i 033Admin region Lääne-ViruCoordinates 59°29’N 25°55’EAltitude 58–62 m Area 1,431 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA raised bog in northern Estonia, with many pools, coniferous andmixed forest. Nature conservation and research is the only land-use.

Habitats Forest and woodland (35%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Wetland(65%; raised bog)Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%)


An important roosting place in autumn for migrating Grus grus.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational High International None1,431 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Lahemaa, 70,926 ha).


Threats Drainage (C)

Drainage of the surrounding area is a significant threat. The IBA lieswithin the special management zone of the National Park. Researchinvolves monitoring of birds and mire plants.

Ohepalu–Udriku mires A4i, B1i 034Admin region Harju, Lääne-ViruCoordinates 59°21’N 25°55’EAltitude 90–100 m Area 2,946 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA complex of raised bogs, fens, transitional mires, forest and manysmall lakes in northern Estonia. The main land-use is forestry.

Habitats Forest and woodland (40%), Wetland (57%; standing fresh water; raised bog;fen/transition mire/spring)Land-use Forestry (25%), Nature conservation/research (30%), Not utilized (35%)


Ohepalu–Udriku mire complex is an important roosting place formigrating Grus grus in autumn.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational High International None2,946 ha of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Ohepalu, 5,058 ha).


Threats Drainage (B), Intensified forest management (B), Recreation/tourism (C)

The main threats are drainage, and intensification of forestry. Udrikumire is designated as a strictly protected area within Ohepalu NatureProtection Area. Research involves monitoring of birds and mireplants.

Puhatu mire B2 035Admin region Ida-ViruCoordinates 59°10’N 27°45’EAltitude 27–45 m Area 15,620 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA large complex of raised bogs, fens, transition mires, forests, lakesand rivers in north-eastern Estonia. The main land-use is forestry.

Habitats Forest and woodland (25%), Wetland (70%; raised bog; fen/transition mire/spring)Land-use Forestry (40%), Not utilized (50%)


An important breeding area for Tetrao tetrix which also supports anotably diverse assemblage of other breeding species of mire and forest.Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBAcriteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (one pair), Crex crex (1–5 pairs).Significant proportion (≥1%) of national population breeding at site:Grus grus (10 pairs).

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Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 300 600 A A4i, B1iAquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 2 2 A A1Crex crex Corncrake B 1993 20 — B A1Grus grus Crane B 1993 20 — B B2Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1996 50 75 B A1Larus minutus Little Gull B 1993 80 100 B B2


Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 1,000 1,000 A A4i, B1iRiparia riparia Sand Martin B 1996 2,000 2,000 A B2


Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 1,000 — A A4i, B1iChlidonias niger Black Tern B 1996 250 300 A B2

■■■■■ Protection statusNational Partial International None12,320 ha of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Puhatu,12,320 ha).


Threats Deforestation (commercial) (A), Drainage (A), Extraction industry (B), Intensifiedforest management (A), Recreation/tourism (B)

The main threats are drainage, deforestation, intensification offorestry, and tourism. There are plans to mine oil-shale in the northernpart of the IBA. The IBA is a potential Ramsar Site. An inventory ofthe avifauna was completed in 1996.

Alam–Pedja wetland complex A1, A4i, B1i, B2 036Admin region Tartu, Jõgeva, ViljandiCoordinates 58°30’N 26°10’EAltitude 32–47 m Area 25,850 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA large wetland complex in central Estonia, comprised of raised bogs,fens, transition mires and unregulated rivers with flood-plain meadows,surrounded by extensive alluvial forests. The main land-use is forestry.

Habitats Forest and woodland (35%; broadleaved deciduous forest; mixed forest;alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (10%; humid grassland), Wetland (55%; raised bog;water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring)Land-use Forestry (25%), Nature conservation/research (100%)


The most important breeding area for Gallinago media in Estonia,which also supports a rich assemblage of breeding species of mire,forest and wetland, notably the globally threatened Aquila clanga.Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBAcriteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (2 pairs). Significant proportion (≥1%) ofnational population breeding at site: Pernis apivorus (5–7 pairs),Chlidonias niger (150–200 pairs), Caprimulgus europaeus (min.20 pairs), Picus canus (min. 15 pairs). Numbers of breeding Tetraotetrix (min. 75 pairs) are also notable.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational High International High25,850 ha of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Alam–Pedja,26,000 ha). 25,850 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Alam–PedjaNature Protection Area, 26,000 ha).


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (C), Drainage (C),Intensified forest management (C), Recreation/tourism (C), Unsustainable exploitation (C)

The main threat lies in the overgrowth of flood-plain meadows withscrub, following abandonment of management. Research involvesmonitoring of birds.

Kallaste–Kodavere coast A4i, B1i, B2 037Admin region TartuCoordinates 58°40’N 27°10’EAltitude 30–40 m Area 350 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA shallow lake and high sandstone cliffs along the shore of Lake Peipsi.

Habitats Wetland (95%; standing fresh water)Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (90%), Tourism/recreation (10%)


An important breeding site for Riparia riparia (since the beginning of thecentury) and an important staging area for migrating Cygnus columbianus.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational High International None350 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape (Kallaste–Kodavere,area not known).


Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (A), Disturbance to birds (A), Recreation/tourism (A)

Major threats are posed by recreation/tourism and fishing. Researchinvolves monitoring of birds.

Lahepera lake A4i, B1i, B2 038Admin region TartuCoordinates 58°34’N 27°12’EAltitude 30–30 m Area 255 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA shallow lake with reedbeds on the western shore of Lake Peipsi ineastern Estonia. The main economic activity is fishing.

Habitats Wetland (98%; standing fresh water; water-fringe vegetation)Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (90%)


An important staging and breeding area for several waterbird species.Significant proportion (≥1%) of national population breeding at site:Larus minutus (50–60 pairs).



Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (A), Disturbance to birds (A), Recreation/tourism (A),Unsustainable exploitation (A)

Major threats are posed by intensive fishing, unsustainable hunting,and tourism. Research involves monitoring of migrating waterbirds.

Ropka–Ihaste flood-plain meadow B2, B3 039and Aardla lakeAdmin region TartuCoordinates 58°20’N 26°46’EAltitude 30–32 m Area 765 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA wetland complex on the flood-plain of the Emajõgi river near thetown of Tartu in eastern Estonia, with meadows, lakes, rivers, reedbeds,scrub and reseeded grasslands (polders). The main land-uses arehaymaking, sand-mining and recreation.

Habitats Forest and woodland (5%), Scrub (20%), Grassland (20%; humid grassland),Wetland (40%; standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation), Artificiallandscape (10%; highly improved reseeded grassland)Land-use Agriculture (20%), Not utilized (50%), Tourism/recreation (20%), Urban/industrial/transport (10%)

■■■■■ BirdsThe area is an important breeding site for several waterbird species offlood-plain wetlands. Breeding species of global conservation concern

222



Porzana porzana Spotted Crake B 1992 80 — A B3Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1992 250 250 A B2


Botaurus stellaris Bittern B 1996 10 — C B2Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 500 800 A A4i, B1iAnser fabalis Bean Goose P 1996 5,000 — B A4i, B1iMergus albellus Smew P 1996 250 — B B1iHaliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1996 4 5 A A1, B2Tetrao tetrix Black Grouse R 1996 100 — B B2Larus minutus Little Gull B 1996 200 — C B2Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1996 500 — C B2





that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (3–5 pairs), Gallinago media(5–10 pairs). Significant proportion (≥1%) of national populationbreeding at site: Larus minutus (min. 50 pairs).



Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Agricultural intensification/expansion (C), Aquaculture/fisheries (A), Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (A),Disturbance to birds (A), Drainage (A), Dredging/canalization (A), Industrialization/urbanization (A), Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

Major threats are posed by nutrient pollution (due to effluents fromTartu town and fertilizer run-off), overgrowth of meadows with scrubdue to reduced haymaking, disturbance of birds by angling, recreation/tourism, fuel-oil pollution from boats, unsustainable hunting, drainageand canalization. The area is a proposed Protected Landscape. Aninventory of breeding and migrating birds was completed in 1992.

Mouth of the Emajõgi river A1, A4i, B1i, B2 040and Piirissaar islandAdmin region TartuCoordinates 58°23’N 27°19’EAltitude 30–37 m Area 31,980 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA large wetland complex in eastern Estonia, comprising lakes, rivers,fens, transition mires, bogs, forest and flood-plain meadows. Majorland-uses are fishing and forestry.

Habitats Wetland (95%; standing fresh water; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation;fen/transition mire/spring)Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (35%), Forestry (10%), Nature conservation/research (80%)


The area supports a good diversity of breeding waterbirds, includingseveral species of global conservation concern, and is an importantstaging area for migratory wildfowl. Breeding species of globalconservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (min.10 pairs), Gallinago media (10 pairs). Significant proportion (≥1%) ofnational population breeding at site: Porzana porzana (min. 75 pairs),Grus grus (min. 10 pairs).

■■■■■ Protection statusNational Partial International High21,030 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape (Emajõe SuursooMire, 21,030 ha). 672 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape(Piirissaare, 672 ha). 31,980 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Emajõe-Suursoo Mire and Piirissaar Island, 32,600 ha).


Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (A),Drainage (C), Intensified forest management (C), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

The main threats come from fishing and unsustainable hunting, andthe overgrowth of coastal meadows with reed Phragmites as a resultof undergrazing and reduced mowing intensity. Research involvesmonitoring of migrating waterbirds.

Meelva bog B1i 041Admin region PõlvaCoordinates 58°08’N 27°21’EAltitude 42–52 m Area 1,646 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA raised bog in eastern Estonia, with small lakes and some forest.The main economic activity is forestry.

Habitats Forest and woodland (10%), Wetland (90%; standing fresh water; raised bog)Land-use Forestry (10%), Nature conservation/research (100%)


The site is an important roosting place for migrating Grus grus in autumn.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational Partial International None1,626 ha of IBA covered by Nature Protection Area (Meelva, 2,073 ha).


Threats Drainage (C), Intensified forest management (A)

The main threat is from intensification of forestry. Research involvesmonitoring of birds and mire plants.

Meenikunno bog B1i 042Admin region PõlvaCoordinates 57°56’N 27°18’EAltitude 63–77 m Area 1,820 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA raised bog in south-eastern Estonia, with alluvial and mixed forestsand small lakes. The main land-uses are forestry and tourism.

Habitats Forest and woodland (40%; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Wetland (60%; raisedbog)Land-use Forestry (40%), Nature conservation/research (100%), Tourism/recreation (10%)


Meenikunno bog is an important roosting place for migrating Grusgrus in autumn.

■■■■■ Protection statusNational High International None1,757 ha of IBA covered by Mire Reserve (Meenikunno, 1,829 ha).


Threats Disturbance to birds (C), Drainage (B), Intensified forest management (A),Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable exploitation (C)

The main threats are posed by tourism, intensification of forestry,and drainage of the surrounding area. Research involves monitoringof birds and mire plants.

Flood-plain meadows A1, B2 043of Mustjõgi riverAdmin region Valga, VõruCoordinates 57°36’N 26°27’EAltitude 50–60 m Area 1,412 ha

■■■■■ Site descriptionA large complex of flood-plain meadows and scrub along the Mustjõgiriver in south-eastern Estonia. The main land-uses are cattle-grazingand haymaking.

223


Habitats Scrub (10%; scrub), Grassland (20%; humid grassland), Wetland (70%; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation)Land-use Agriculture (90%)


An important breeding area for Crex crex.



Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A)

Overgrowth of the meadows by scrub (due to undergrazing) poses amajor threat, and regular haymaking is required to maintain suitablehabitat.


Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 50 70 B A1, B2

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